CORRUGATED PAPERBOARD MANUFACTURING APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

An apparatus includes a take-up downstream from a heating surface for advancing corrugated paperboard sheet along a path of travel adjacent the heating surface; an initial sheet feeder for initially feeding a leading portion of the corrugated paperboard sheet along the path of travel; and sliding contact assemblies positioned opposite the heating surface for slidably contacting and applying pressure to urge the advancing corrugated paperboard sheet against the heating surface. Accordingly, heat is transferred from the heating surface to the moving corrugated paperboard sheet and without a conventional conveyor belt. The pressure applied by the sliding contact assemblies may be released when the initial sheet feeder is feeding the leading portion of the corrugated paperboard sheet. The apparatus may also generate a gas cushion to thereby reduce friction between the heating surface and the corrugated paperboard sheet when initially feeding the leading portion of the corrugated paperboard sheet. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.